GRAHAM Barrow and Dave Flitcroft will relish their third derby meeting of the season.

Barrow is a former Spotland boss and Flitcroft played for Dale against Bury last term.

"I'm sure we'll get a bit of stick and some flak," said Barrow, whose team have lost just one of their last nine games.

"It's part and parcel of going back to your old club. We haven't performed well against Rochdale so far this season so I'm looking for an improvement."

With Dave Challinor on board for another month's loan, Barrow will be confident of extending Bury's unbeaten run that has taken them to the brink of safety.

Backing

They should be unchanged for the trip to Spotland with only long-term injury victim Lee Unsworth unavailable.

Any players not selected are expected to join a group of supporters walking to the game from Gigg Lane.

"I think it's a good idea," said Barrow. "We are all in this together and if the supporters are prepared to put themselves through that, then there is no reason why some of the lads can't join in. It will probably be better than training for some of them."

Bury hope to have 500 people or more walking the seven miles to help raise money for the supporters' Trust, Forever Bury.

Rochdale will be looking for their third win over the Shakers this campaign as they attempt to climb away from the wrong end of the third division table.

Boss Steve Parkin is looking for the town to get behind his side and said: "It's a game where we need all our fans.

"If we can get the win it will put us that bit closer to Bury and if the players show the same commitment, passion, drive and enthusiasm they showed on Tuesday, there is no reason why we can't get a good result."

The Dale boss is unlikely to make changes to the side that drew at Swansea but may have mercurial winger Patrick McCourt available after a dead leg.

Gareth Griffiths may again be missing for compassionate reasons.

LAST SEASON: Rochdale 0 Bury 1

BURY'S KEY MAN: Gareth Seddon - back among the goals.

DALE'S KEY MAN: Leo Bertos - helped knock the Shakers out of the FA Cup.

PREDICTION: Rochdale 1 Bury 1.

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